Madison graduation 2012
Warren County CC graduation
New Miami graduation 2012
Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > May > 16 > Entry
This one turned on one decision
There are predictions that at some point California will separate from the continental U.S. and disappear under the Pacific Ocean. The Cincinnati Reds hope it happens soon - as long as all the people flee east and escape.
The Reds would like to flee east right now and escape.
It’s the West Coast Curse - baseball’s version of the Swine Flu for the Reds. When the Reds arrived at Petco Park in San Diego Friday, all the signs pointed in their favor:
The Padres had lost six straight. The Padres had lost 19 of 23. The Padres were the second worst hitting team in the NL. A San Diego starting pitcher hadn’t won over the team’s last 25 starts.
All that changed Friday night, to the dismay of the Reds, who could have pulled into a three-way tie with Milwaukee and St. Louis for first place. Instead, they lost, 5-3, and fell all the way to fourth place - but only one game out of first.
No First Place Appreciation Day this time.
There was one decision manager Dusty Baker could have made that might have made the difference. Who knows, though? You never know what is right and what is wrong when a manager makes a decision.
The scenario:
The Reds trailed, 3-2, in the seventh inning. They had two on and two out with starting pitcher Aaron Harang due up. Doesn’t that call for a pinch-hitter? Try to at least tie the game and maybe with a double they score two or a home run to score three?
Baker decided to permit Harang to bat and he hit into a fielder’s choice and the Reds didn’t score again.
“He’s my ace,” said Baker. “He doesn’t like to come out and we don’t like to take him out. He was on a roll at the time (one run, four hits over five innings). That’s why we let him bat and go back out there.”
After he made the out to snuff the rally, he “went back out there” and gave up three runs and three hits - with relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes facing one batter and giving up a four-pitch walk to Adrian Gonzalez, then David Weathers gave up a tie-breaking single on his first pitch and a sacrifice fly.
Hindsight. Ain’t it great? It’s 20/20. You’re never wrong. But who’s to say a pinch-hitter would get a hit - although it would have saved Harang from pitching in the seventh and the bullpen would have started with a one-run lead and nobody on base.
Personally, I would have pinch-hit for Harang, but that’s why I’m sitting in the pressbox second-guessing instead of sitting in the dugout making the crucial on the spot decisions that must be made immediately and without benefit of hindsight.
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment |
Tweet
Comments
By wizard
May 17, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
wizard May 17, 2009 11:13 AM wizard May 17, 2009 2:03 AM Another stupid decision by Baker! Darnell .176; Janish .340 or whatever; Hanigan .300 plus all available to pinch hit—and guess who he picks? Lets see another game when Gonzalez goes 0 for 7—and has numerous chances to help win the game—and HE CONTINUES TO PLAY instead of Janish!!!!
By Jack
May 17, 2009 3:46 AM | Link to this
I’ve watched every game on Fox Sports here in Bartlett, TN. Just watched us lose in 16. We had two men on base when McD batting .218 was brought in to pinch hit instead of Owings who was going in to pitch anyhow or Janish who is batting .345. And Gonzo is only in the lineup because he is being paid big bucks. Glad to see I’m not the only one who thinks Baker doesn’t have a clue. He even used up our bullpen by the time we went into extra innings. What is the man thinking?
By Ryan-IN
May 16, 2009 9:11 PM | Link to this
I guess we’re supposed to win every game now….? WHATEVER!!!! I won’t point fingers because I promised Hal I wouldn’t be negative on the blog anymore but some of you need to stick to your kids tee ball games and leave the Reds games up to the big boys. Now run along and sit that tee back up.
By Katie
May 16, 2009 7:01 PM | Link to this
voiceofreason’s comment of May 16, 2009 11:46 AM is perfect! I remember how much better the Reds would play when Griffey was out with one of his many injuries, and once his entitled highness would return the Reds would start losing again. Same crap with FatsoGonzo & EdwinError.
By Sal Monella
May 16, 2009 6:34 PM | Link to this
Hal, ANY normal* human being would have pinch hit for Harang. Especially with a stud bullpen like the Reds have. But leave it to Dusty, he lets other people manage his head. He needs to grow a set and make some managerial calls and stop pampering. Be a man, T-Pick…learn from a great one, Captain Hook Anderson. Start doing the right thing and give your ENTIRE team a chance to win, ya bonehead! *Emphasis on normal, does not pertain to Baker.
By HoosierVirg
May 16, 2009 4:30 PM | Link to this
Gonzo didn’t lose the game, 0-8 in the top two positions didn’t help. Nix having an uncharacteristic at bat didn’t help, Bruce looking tired and lost didn’t help, other batters losing patience didn’t help, Dusty’s decision could have gone either way but it wasn’t the only and main reason the Reds lost, the Padres were due for a win.
By nati mike
May 16, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this
BillSilverado: the Reds were up both times. I think they were up over the Cards by 2 runs, and over the Padres by 1 run. Hal’s comment about the Reds trailing was in error, as was discussed below.
By BillSilverado
May 16, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
nati Mike. I think the reds were up when that happened. Big difference
By BillSilverado
May 16, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
nati Mike. I think the reds were up when that happened. Big difference
By nati mike
May 16, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this
It’s also worth noting that, in a nearly identical situation against the Cardinals last weekend, Dusty let Harang hit… and he drove in 2 runs. Just sayin’. Baseball is a streaky game. When a lineup is working, you stick with it until it stops working. That means leaving Gonzo out until some guys get cold. It might be too late, now. We don’t need to freak out, though - you can’t expect to go on the road and sweep every series. If we win tonight and tomorrow, everything will be just fine and dandy in Redlegs land.
By barry
May 16, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this
Starting the horrible hitting Alex Gonzalez instead of sending the lineup that got us into 1st place seems to be the dumb mistake that lead to the loss
By Mark in Sun Valley
May 16, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this
The real differnece is how Harang was pitching. Was he cruising or struggling? Considering how hard the Padres were hitting the ball and his shakey control last night, Dusty should have tried for more runs and been happy with getting 6 from Aaron.
By JAMESRSHOCKMAN
May 16, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this
HAL, IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD WHETHER WE ARE LEADING OR LOSING BY ONE RUN IN THE TOP OF THE SEVENTH. IF YOU ARE TIED OR BEHIND IN THAT SITUATION THEN YOU DEFINITELY PINCH-HIP. IF YOU ARE AHEAD THEN WHY TAKE HIMN OUT. BY ONE RUN AND OUR STARER IS
By JAMESRSHOCKMAN
May 16, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this
HAL, IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD WHETHER WE ARE LEADING OR LOSING BY ONE RUN IN THE TOP OF THE SEVENTH. IF YOU ARE TIED OR BEHIND IN THAT SITUATION THEN YOU DEFINITELY PINCH-HIP. IF YOU ARE AHEAD THEN WHY TAKE HIMN OUT. BY ONE RUN AND OUR STARER IS
By voiceofreason
May 16, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this
Can someone look up the teams’ record with Gonzalez in the lineup this year (and his career in Cincy). With Gonzo and EE both being hurt for the past couple weeks, Dusty had his hands tied as to who he could play. As a result, we reel off series win after series win. Now that Dusty has “options” again, he will quickly find a way to get this team back to playing .500 or less ball we are all acustomed to. Between EE, Gonzo (and Baker sending them out there everyday) it is like going to a funeral. The energy is sapped.
By wizard
May 16, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this
Hernandes? Oh well, same thing. right?
By wizard
May 16, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this
Well, I for one, will not second guess—my first guess was the correct one: Gonzalez should have remained on the bench, with Hairston at third and Janish at SS! And, just in case Baker ever wants to get it right, instead of being stupidly stubborn—and put his best offensive lineup on the field— it would be:Taveras-CF/Hairston-Third base/Votto-LEFT Field/Phillips-second base/Bruce-Right Field/Rodriguez-First Base/Janish-SS/Hanigan-Catcher/
By sun deck lover
May 16, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
Not to be confused with being a Baker fan, but Harang is the Ace/#1/anchor of this staff (for now). Show me another arm in the rotation that has better numbers than his fast five seasons. And please remember to throw out last year for the most part due to an injury that was a result of Dusty’s superior mamagement skills, and the team scoring 1 or 2 runs a game for him prior to that. Sure there are two guys that could be stealing the Cy from each other in the years to come, but they have not proven anything over a 2 or 3 season span yet. Also, I would like to give my own opinion on pitchers’ W/L records. Probabaly the most usless stat that Bowden liked to write checks by (remember “15 game winner” Jimmy?) wins are often more indicitive of the team or timing - look at Arroyo. More important are SO-BB ratio,ERA, and total IP. Anyway, need to win Sat., Peavy on the hill Sun. better numbers than him over the
By Steven Ross
May 16, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this
Memo to Baker: Harang is NOT your ace anymore. Hello? 2: with two on, two out in the 7th of a road game and the pitcher coming up, you pinch hit. If it’s Owings, okay, let him hit but not Harang. Sheesh. Baker will rip your heart out.
By Mike-Cinci
May 16, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this
I now realize both Hal and I have been impacted by the west coast curse. The Reds are in the NL Central not the West. Also if they win the Central they probably will lose another 55 games not 65 as I wrote earlier. I thank those who corrected me.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 16, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this
Baker’s more egregious act than not using a pinch-hitter in the seventh for Harang was giving him too much rope in the seventh. After the second hit, he should have been pulled. But then, Rhodes has to make a pitch and Stormy has to keep the ball on the infield. THOSE are quantifiable results that cost the ballgame, not a coulda, woulda, shoulda assumption that a pinch-hitter would have delivered in a spot where you already hold the lead.
By nati mike
May 16, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this
HOF - well, it’s obvious that it wasn’t a typo, as Hal mentioned that the goal of the pinch hitter would be to tie or to go ahead. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that pinch hitting was the correct decision, in that situation. It’s not as if our bullpen is overworked.
By Brian A
May 16, 2009 9:33 AM | Link to this
Hate to admit this regardless of what Dusty/Rusty says but Harang isn’t the Ace of this staff. Losing to the Padres is a major stomach punch. The whole night the team was flat. Rebound tonight and tomor. I honestly don’t think its the talent of SD beating the Reds its themselves pysched out about the West Coast. Just relax like that first game of the Arizona series and set the tone early tonight.
By HOF
May 16, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this
Mike/Max - Get off Hal’s back. If you read further, its obvious that Hal made a typo when stating that the reds were trailing 3-2. Everyone’s human. We should be thankful that we have such a great sportswriter working for our local newspaper.
By nati mike
May 16, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this
mike-cinci: speaking of getting facts wrong, the Reds are in the NL CENTRAL division. Not the West. It’s gonna be tough to win the West - first of all the Dodgers are winning a lot of games. Second of all, we’re not in the division.
By Mike-Cinci
May 16, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this
Hal, you may like to criticize manager decisions but you have to get your facts right. You were wrong in your newspaper report and on the blog. The Reds were winning 3-2 in the top of the 7th. Letting Harang bat in that situation was OK. It appears the west coast curse has got you too. I may be imagining things but you seem to be be going out of your way to find fault. Managers get second guessed all the time but getting the facts wrong and doing it is not fair. By the way, even if the Reds win the West Division they will probably lose another 65 games. This was one of them.
By Max
May 16, 2009 8:55 AM | Link to this
Hey Hal, the Reds were LEADING 3-2 in the 7th inning when the decision was made to let Harang hit.
By Scott
May 16, 2009 7:47 AM | Link to this
I agree with you Hal. Everyone should have been rested, and the last time I remember Harang in San Diego was that marathon extra innings game from last year. We all know what happened then. With the off day the previous day the correct call would have been to pinch hit for him. That’s less innings on Harang now, which can be helpful later, plus the possibility of (another) road win. Golden opportunity missed.